This week’s lineup spans the spectrum of local and national conversation — starting with sharp takes on the political moment, from Randy Evans’ search for moral leadership to Rekha Basu’s searing look at prejudice and policy, Barry Piatt’s takedown of Iowa’s “No Show” House delegation, and Dennis Goldford’s reminder that there’s still good news out there. On the state level, Laura Belin and Ed Tibbetts dig into price pressures, election fallout, and Chris Jones’ possible run for secretary of agriculture.
From there, we move across Iowa with reflections from Nicole Baart’s book tour, a Civil War history project in Jefferson, and Veterans Day tributes in Traer. Agriculture, world affairs, humor, sports, business, mental health, media, and the environment all make strong showings this week — with standout pieces from Cheryl Tevis, Rick Jost, Jane Burns, Kali White VanBaale, and Ken Chester.
And don’t miss the storytelling gems: Steve Semken’s Higher Than the Sky Gang, Robert Leonard’ and Jason Walsmith’s conversation on hunger in Iowa, and new creative work from Suzanna de Baca and Mary Swander.
National Politics
Randy Evans — Recent events raise the question: What are Americans becoming? And where are leaders like Robert Ray?
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Rekha Basu — A Native American woman was nearly deported to Mexico. Basu asks what “being American” means when brown-skinned citizens aren’t heard.
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Barry Piatt — Iowa’s “No Show” House delegation collected about $29,000 each during their 54-day “Hide the Epstein Files Break.” Piatt argues they should give the money back.
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Letters from Iowans — Before news of reduced tariffs, Gordie Felger warned that farmers who voted for Trump were suffering self-inflicted wounds.
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Iowa Politics
Ed Tibbetts — Republicans’ failure to address high prices is hurting politicians like Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
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Laura Belin — On KHOI’s Capitol Week, Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss Democrats denouncing Chuck Schumer, local election takeaways, and yet another GOP candidate for governor.
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Laura Belin — Chris Jones is exploring a Democratic run for Iowa secretary of agriculture. Belin digs into his motivations and vision for change.
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Around Iowa
Nicole Baart — Nicole Baart offers reflections from her recent book tour across Iowa.
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Chuck Offenburger — The “Schoolboy Soldiers of Rippey” project helps local students bring Civil War history to life.
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Jeff Morrison — North Tama honors veterans on Veterans Day in a heartfelt school assembly.
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Douglas Burns, Robert Leonard, and Nik Heftman —In this charged episode of Nik and Doug’s America, Bob Leonard breaks down his powerful “Portraits of Hunger in Iowa” series with Jason Walsmith, weighs in on rising inequality and the risks it brings, while Nik Heftman shares filmmaking updates and Douglas Burns tees up the political stories ahead.
Agriculture
Matt Russell — Rural Iowans are feeling the same chaos President Trump inflicted elsewhere, Russell argues, and Democrats must respond strategically.
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World Affairs
Arnold Garson — Nuremberg: where the seeds of the Holocaust were planted and where leading Nazis were tried.
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Humor
Daniel P. Finney — FINNEY’S 5: What happens after the shutdown.
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Daniel P. Finney — FINNEY’S 5: Things teachers fear will be the last thing they hear before they die.
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Vicki Minor — Predictable? Guilty as Charged.
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Sports
Daniel P. Finney — Lisa Bluder’s BTN commentary debut felt like a family reunion as her former teams — Drake and Iowa — faced off.
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Jane Burns — If you’re focusing on Iowa State star Audi Crooks’ size, you’re missing her star power — on and off the court.
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Business
Rick Jost — Iowa is near the top of the list of states with increasing credit card payment delinquency
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Suzanna de Baca — When AI writes your performance review, does leadership still matter? De Baca says yes.
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Mental Health
Cheryl Tevis — Tevis reflects on the change of seasons and the quiet wisdom of the wooly bear caterpillar.
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Kali White VanBaale — An extraordinary personal adoption story of trauma, healing, and Mother Teresa.
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The Iowa Angle (Local Tie-In)
Steve Semken — Writing lessons from the Higher Than The Sky Gang.
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Robert Leonard — Bob Leonard and Jason Walsmith join IPR’s Talk of Iowa to discuss their five-part “Portraits of Hunger in Iowa” series.
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Media
Dave Busiek — Viewers are fed up with blackouts that keep them from watching games they’ve already paid for.
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Kitty Sheehan — A Veterans Day story: When documents help fill in the blanks.
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Weather & Environment
Ken Chester — Why birds target some cars more than others, and the simple ways to protect your vehicle’s paint.
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Poetry
Suzanna de Baca — From her “Dementia Diaries,” the poem She Was an English Professor, featured in the Hyacinth Review.
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Law and Justice
Mary Swander (Emerging Voices) — Linda Egenes reviews Coop, Swander’s new play about an Amish conscientious objector.
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Dave Busiek
Meet Iowa Writers’ Collaborative member Dave Busiek. Today we begin an occasional feature about some of our members.
1. How would you describe your Substack column to someone who has not yet discovered your work?
I write about media and politics, and often the intersection between the two. My goal is to help discerning news viewers understand why journalists do what they do. I appreciate paid subscribers, but want to be clear I donate all proceeds to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which does outstanding work on a tiny budget.
Left, Dave Busiek, hiking with his wife, Laura Sands is a veteran Iowa broadcast journalist whose long career as KCCI’s news director shaped generations of reporters and set the standard for thoughtful, boots-on-the-ground local journalism.
2. How long have you been writing on this platform.
A little over three years.
3. What has surprised you about the column?
When I started, I didn’t know what I might write about and I certainly didn’t know if anyone would care. As it turns out, the bigger problem is what NOT to write about. There’s so much happening right now with Trump threatening and suing media, some media owners caving to him, the headwinds all media are facing, some bright spots to restore trust in journalism, and what news consumers can do in this changing media environment to make sure they’re getting reliable information.
4. What were your top 3-4 columns in terms of views?
The columns about media do well but when I write about politics, the views really soar. People are looking for someone to make sense of what’s happening in our country and state right now. I often hear feedback along the lines of “you wrote exactly what I was thinking but expressed it better than I could.” That’s really gratifying.
My most-read columns:
-Why Iowa’s top Republican women (Joni Ernst and Kim Reynolds) are walking away
-A column on Des Moines school superintendent Ian Robert’s arrest and how he betrayed the school system
-A column about an undercover video running on Fox News shot at the University of Iowa, where an employee said DEI efforts were continuing, people just used different language for them
-A column titled “Iowa’s Hate Factory” about the legislature and governor removing civil rights protections for transgender Iowans
-I’ve written a lot about the disaster caused by CBS News caving to Donald Trump and settling his baseless lawsuit, which stabbed all journalists in the back.
5. What are your interests, hobbies outside of column-writing?
-I do a lot of volunteer work. I’m president of my neighborhood association in Des Moines. I spend a lot of time at a nonprofit called The FreeStore, which picks up furniture and used household items from donors. We warehouse the items then donate them to families coming out of homelessness or domestic assault to help them start over. It’s an extremely worthwhile organization which is entirely volunteer. So in retirement years and with an aging body, I drive a truck and lift furniture, in addition to serving on the FreeStore board. I play tennis. I take piano lessons. I sing bass in church choir. My wife and I love to travel. I had a fulfilling career in [television] journalism but after 43 years of working, I am happily retired.
Dave Busiek at home on the piano
6. What are your thoughts about the changing media landscape, and how people get their news and information?
The journalism we grew up with is never coming back. It’s up to each of us to get news from a variety of sources now. I urge serious news consumers to seek and find outlets they trust, then SUPPORT them with your subscription dollars. Support your local newspaper. Subscribe to the New York Times. Look at online outlets like Iowa Capital Dispatch and new start-ups like Ames Voice in Ames. The good thing about Substack is we are our own bosses, so you won’t have to worry about political pressure coming down from big-money corporate owners, which has badly damaged the reputations of CBS News, the Washington Post, LA Times and others. We can’t be bought and we can’t be sold down the river.
Feel free to add anything….
The only thing I would add is a huge thank you to those who read and support my column. I read every single comment and try to reply to each one, too. It’s become a relationship and one I value.
Meet Dave Busiek during the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Holiday Party…..
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Holiday Party
Come celebrate with the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative!
The IWC Holiday Party will be Wednesday, December 17 at the Harkin Institute in Des Moines at 7pm. It’s FREE for any paid subscriber to any IWC writer column, including this one, or $35 the night of the event. The award-winning duo Weary Ramblers will be performing and IWC authors will be on hand for socialization and goodwill. Please RSVP here.
If you support any one of our writers or Iowa Capital Dispatch, you’re invited to join us for a reception with light refreshments, conversation, and live music from our own Weary Ramblers and special guests.
This is a reader-supported endeavor dedicated to providing local community news, information and commentary. Let’s celebrate what we. have created together.